Inspections for Firefighting Tankers

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered wing inspections on all C-130-A air tankers after investigators determined that cracks in the wings caused the crash of a tanker fighting a wildfire in California this summer.

A similar crash later in the summer near Estes Park killed two people, but it involved a slightly different type of aircraft.

Officials said the wings of the C-130-A snapped off and the plane was engulfed in flames as it dropped retardant on a blaze on June 17. Two pilots and an engineer were aboard and were killed.

The FAA directed owners to inspect all C-130-As for cracks within four days and conduct regular follow-up inspections.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.